Disgruntled Whistler driver targets Squamish cop cars

Squamish RCMP detachment rammed, four vehicles out of commission

The Squamish RCMP detachment became the site of an impromptu
demolition derby Monday after a disgruntled Whistler resident used his car to
ram six police cruisers and the building.

“We have had several dealings with (the suspect) and he is well
known to us for criminal code and traffic offences and he chose to deal with
his frustrations and his life this way,” said RCMP Cpl Dave Ritchie.

The incident started when an officer at the detachment heard a
car alarm go off at the back of the building around 12:50 a.m. Monday. When he
went to investigate he met up with the suspect, Kevin Dufresne, who said he had an appointment.

The officer told Dufresne to go to the front of the detachment.
The next thing the member knew the suspect had rammed six police cars, four of
them so badly they can’t be driven. He also rammed the rear of the detachment
building and the front of the building too.

“He used enough force that both his air bags deployed,” said
Ritchie.

“(The RCMP) doesn’t have six new vehicles ready to go just like
that so we will be asking neighbouring detachments for assistance for the next
couple of weeks.

“The damage to the building is substantial. He destroyed the
frame and structure of the building and penetrated it a bit.”

The suspect was arrested without incident and charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle and mischief. He appeared
in provincial court today and has been remanded for 30 days with request for psychiatric review.

Ritchie said officers are alert to this type of attack and
detachments use high tech surveillance to thwart this type of incident.

“We are always vigilant… but you can’t circumvent everything
unless you become a fortress and we are not about to make a fortress of our
detachment.”